Wedge-actuated clamp for resilient tubing and the like



June 30, 1953 J. HOFFMANN WEDGE-ACTUATED CLAMP FOR RESILIENT TUBING AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 12, 1949 IN VEN TOR.

JOSEPH HOFFMA NN A TTORNE Y Patented June 30, 1953 WEDGE-ACTUAT'ED CLAMP FOR RESILIENT TUBING AND THE LIKE Joseph Hoifmann, Waterbury, 00111:.

Application September 12, 1949, Serial No. 115,221

This invention relates to clamps, and more particularly to a clamp having a slidable wedgeshaped clamping member which is adapted to coact with a base for adjustably gripping and compressing elongated objects such as tubes, hoses, rods, tapes, and ropes.

One object of this invention is to provide a device of the above nature in which the base comprises a frame in which the wedge-shaped member is slidably mounted.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature in which the wedge-shaped member is provided with a slidable shoe which serves as a jaw member in opposition to the base, whereby smooth and accurate adjustment of the Wedge-shaped member may be obtained, and injury to the object clamped will be avoided.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature which may be easily operated by one hand for accurately controlling allow of fluid in a flexible tube held in the clamp.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature which will be simple inconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture, easyto install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very efficient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there have been illustrated on the accompanying drawing two forms in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side View of one form of the improved clamp showing a section of a tube in unclamped or open position therein.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the same, showing the parts as they would appear in clamping position for closing the tube therein.

Fig. 5 is a side View of a second form of clamp, showing a length of rope clamped therein.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the same.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the same showing how the clamp may be used for adjustably holding a loop of clothesline.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral l0 indicates a clamp which is preferably made of sheet brass and comprises a U-shaped frame |I having a flat base I2 and parallel flat legs l3, l4, bent outwardly at opposite edges of said base.

The legs l3, it have rounded outer ends l5, l6 and are provided respectively with longitudinal central slots IT, IS which extend from the flat base l2 to narrow bearing points I9, 20 which 1 claim. .(01. 251 -5) are formed by the outer ends of the slots. The bearing points l9. 20. are disposed at diiierent distances from the base I2, for a purpose to be described.

In order to provide a variable clamping action against a length of rubber or other resilient tubing T disposed against the inner surface of the base I2, provision is made of a flat, wedgeshaped clamping member 2| which is slidably disposed in a transverse position in the slots l1, l8, and which has an outer edge 22 disposed at such an inclination that when said edge is in enga ement with the outer ends I9, 28 of the slots, the inner edge 23 of said clamping member 2| will extend parallel to the fiat base I2.

The opposite ends of the wedge-shaped clamping member 26 are turned at right angles thereto in order to provide rounded finger pieces 24, 25 which will facilitate manual sliding of the clamping member in the slots l1, l8, and also will serve to limit endwise movement ofthe clamping member and prevent its separation from the frame I 1.

Thus, it will be seen that sliding of the clamping member 2| will cause the edge 23 thereof to approach or recede from the base I2, as the case may be, so'that the tube T may be closed for entirely stopping a flow of fluid therethrough, or partially closed so as to restrict said flow in any desired degree. However, in order to minimize frictional resistance to the operation .of the-clamping member 2|, provision is made of a U-shaped shoe or jaw member 26 which is preferably made of sheet brass, and which slidably embraces the edge 23 of the clamping member 2|.

The jaw member 26 has a rounded edge 2'! which is adapted to engage directly with the tube T, and also has pairs of elongated sides orguide portions 28 (Fig. 2) in slidable engagement with the inner surfaces ,of'the less l3, for maintaining said jaw member 26 in proper operating alignment;

upon the finger piece 25. It will be understood that the resiliency of the tube T, as well as any fluid pressure which may exist therein, will cause said tube to open when the clamping pressure thereon is released. The operation of sliding the clamping member 2| may be performed very conveniently, using the thumb or forefinger for pressing the finger pieces 24, or while holding the clamp l0 and the tube T with other fingers of the same hand.

It will be understood that theclamp Hi my be made in any suitable size, and will be useful not only for regulating the flow of fluid in tubing, but also as a clamping means for other elongated objects. However, when the clamp is to be used for regulating a flow of fluid in a tube, the width of the fiat base 12 will be made sufficient to per- Second form The second form of the invention is embodied in a clamp 29 (Figs. 5 to 7) which comprises a U-shaped frame 30 having a base 31, and parallel flat legs 32, 33 turned outwardly at opposite edges of said base.

Although the second form of the invention is generally similar to the form first described above, the base 3| has opposite downturned edge portions providing gripping edges 34, 35 which will be found particularly useful when the clamp 29 is to be employed for holding objects such as a rope R. against longitudinal movement.

The legs 32, 33 have a pair of longitudinal slots 36 of difierent lengths, in which a fiat wedge-shaped clamping member 31 is disposed.

The clamping member 31 is provided with rounded finger pieces 38, 39 at opposite ends thereof, and also is slidably embraced'by a U- shaped jaw member 40 which is disposed between the legs 32, 33 and which is provided with a rounded edge 4| adapted to clamp the rope R.

at a point intermediate the gripping edges 34, 35.

The legs 32, 33 are extended outwardly so as to provide apertured end portions 42 which are adapted to receive the inturned ends 43, 43 of a swingable stifi wire loop 44. Thus, the loop 44 may serve as a means for holding the clamp 29 and enabling said clamp to be used for adjustably but firmly anchoring an elongated member such as the rope R.

Operation of second form In operation, the rope R will merely be inserted between the base 3| and the rounded edge 4! of the jaw member 40, and the finger piece 39 pressed to slide the clamping member 37 and thus cause the rope R to be securely held between the jaw member 40 and the gripping edges 34, 35.

While there have been disclosed in this speci fication two forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosures, but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

In a clamp for adjustably gripping and compressing an elongated resilient yieldable round object, a U-shaped frame of thin rigid sheet material comprising a wide fiat base and a pair of integral parallel legs perpendicular to said base, said legs having narrow central slots of unequal lengths being formed perpendicular to said base and extending from points adjacent said base, said legs having rounded outer ends, the ends of said slots remote from the base providing hearing points, a fiat thin elongated wedge shaped member of rigid thin sheet material slidably fitted within said slots, the wedge shaped member having an outer edge engaging said bearing points in such manner that the inner edge of the wedge shaped member is in opposing parallel relationship with the base-in all positions of the wedge shaped member, the outer ends of said wedge shaped member having rounded finger pieces bent over parallel to said legs, a U- shaped follower jaw of thin rigid sheet material fitted about the inner edge of said wedge member and having its side edges abutting the inner sides of said parallel legs, said jaw having a rounded looped edge for engagement with said round object.

JOSEPH HOFFMAN N.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 166,022 Mihills July 27, 1875 434,144 Dunbar Aug. 12, 1890 1,250,003 Phenicie Dec. 11, 1917 1,378,267 Newton May 17, 1921 1,503,541 Lintott Aug. 5, 1924 1,580,649 Christiansen Apr. 13, 1926 1,852,031 Steinmayer Apr. 5, 1932 1,852,477 Ratigan Apr, 5, 1932 1,968,454 Hyatt July 31, 1934 2,031,773 Schmuck May 25, 1937 2,088,755 Malone Aug, 3, 1937 2,092,401 Miller Sept. '7, 1937 

